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Texarkana, TX Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Texarkana, TX, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit: Required for all floodplain development
Elevation standard: Lowest floor at/above base flood elevation
Floodway: New construction/fill barred without study
Penalty: Up to $2,000 per day
Administrator: City engineer

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Texarkana, TX.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Texarkana, TX on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Texarkana requires a floodplain development permit for any work in special flood hazard areas, and new or substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation.

Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to or above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standard of this subsection as proposed in section 110-65(a)(1) is satisfied.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 27).

Full Breakdown

The city engineer, acting as floodplain administrator, reviews every floodplain development permit application for land within the FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area established by the 2010 Bowie County Flood Insurance Study. Residential lowest floors must sit at or above the base flood elevation, certified by a registered engineer, architect, or land surveyor; nonresidential buildings can instead be floodproofed to one foot above base flood elevation. Within the regulatory floodway, fill, new construction, and substantial improvements are barred unless engineering analysis proves no rise in flood levels. Violators face misdemeanor fines up to $2,000 per day, with each day a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Building at grade in a special flood hazard area without a floodplain development permit, or without an engineer's certification of lowest-floor elevation, is a misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers Texarkana's flood damage prevention rules?

The city engineer serves as floodplain administrator, reviewing permit applications and certifications for all development within FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas under Chapter 110.

How high must a new home be built in a Texarkana flood zone?

The lowest floor, including any basement, must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation and certified by a registered engineer, architect, or land surveyor.

Sources & Official References

[1]Texarkana, TX Code of Ordinances Ch. 110 (Flood Damage Prevention)

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All Texarkana rules

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